Sleeping on a Cloud

Lately, I have been having horrible back pains for several reasons. I’m sure those working from home can relate. Anyway, I know that my mattress here in Florida has not been helping the situation. I toss and turn all night and dream of my mattress back in the city. I also wonder how much better my sleep would get if I actually treated my bed area as a true sanctuary. Back in the city, my bed is adorned with silk pillowcases, a thick duvet cover, Egyptian cotton sheets, and an essential diffuser sitting at my night table. And boy, am I starting to miss it. My skin is not as straightforward as it used to be, my sleeping habits consist of tossing and turning all night, and my sheets can get so hot in the Florida heat. Yeah, I suppose there is a big difference when you actually treat your body with the care it deserves. 

What mattress should I buy?

In choosing your perfect mattress, you need to be thinking of two crucial factors, support, and comfort. You should also be asking yourself these questions:

Do you prefer a bouncy or firm base? Do you want a plush top or just a mattress topper? Do you sleep on your stomach, side, back? Are you sleeping alone or with a partner or a pet? Such as in my case. Do you toss and turn all night? Do you ever get night sweats or generally hot in the night? Do you have allergies? Do you have back pain? Lastly, is there some type of mattress sale?

That’s a lot to think about, right.

Luckily, I have done the hard work and can just tell you which ones work best for your sleeping type. It is also important to note that mattresses generally last for 10+ years. Aka, this is an investment piece. You are going to be sleeping on this bad boy for quite some time. Therefore, stay within budget, but definitely treat yourself to the mattress that works best for you. This will save you from several years of inadequate sleep and back problems down the line.

Here, we have three different types of mattresses to choose from: specialty foam, innerspring, and hybrid. Foam mattresses are the most popular on the market right now, with higher customer satisfaction than spring. Memory foam contains an added layer of gel, which helps neutralize the temperature. Innersprings are the mattresses with coils on them. The more coils, the better. When you stick within a price range around $750-$1,500, you’re guaranteed the mattress (and boxspring) of your dreams. Going any lower does require longer time + consideration and giving up some of the qualities you see in higher priced mattresses. If you’re thinking of buying online, you will probably be saving money; however, you won’t be able to try it out beforehand. You should also probably shop at the actual mattress store versus a department store or boutique. If you want the best deal, definitely try out the mattress in the store and order it yourself online for the lowest price you can find. And that is basically all you need to know about mattresses for the rest of your life. 

Here are my top recommendations for mattresses of all ranges:

Best Online Mattress: The Casper Original Mattress

Best Memory Foam Mattress: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

Best Firm Mattress: Saatva Loom and Lean Mattress

Best Luxury Mattress: Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress

Best Budget Mattress: The Allswell Luxe Hybrid

Best Cooling Mattress: Classic Brands Cool Gel Memory Foam

For the back sleeper: Puffy Lux Mattress

For the side sleeper: Layla Hybrid Mattress

For the combo sleeper: Winkbed

For the sleeper with allergies: Awara Latex Hybrid Mattress

For the couple that sleeps together: Saatva Original Mattress

For the sleeper with a partner that tosses and turns and good sex: Bear Mattress

What pillows work best for your sleeping type?

Thankfully, pillows aren’t as intricate as mattresses. However, they are just as vital to the equation. Pillows are what provide our head and necks with support when we are literally unconscious. We spend almost half our lives resting our heads on pillows. When picking out a new pillow, you need to see whether you’re a front, side, or back sleeper, like when choosing a mattress. Ensure that the pillow is breathable and allows for air to pass through easily unless you want to feel suffocated. Also, make sure that you check the care label because not every pillow can be washed. Lastly, you also need to decide on the fill of the pillow. And please, don’t buy a throw pillow as your neck pillow for sleeping, that’s a guaranteed pain in a few hours.

Down pillows are the fluffiest in the game. 

Down alternative pillows are very soft, more affordable, and are great for people with allergies.

Memory foam pillows are for support.

Latex pillows have a similar, almost squishy feel to the memory foam. However, they bounce back faster.

Here are some personal pillow picks: 

Best Overall Pillow: Casper Original

Best Value Pillow: Amazon Basics Down Alternative

Best Down Pillow: Parachute Home

Best Down Alternative Pillow: Snowe

Best Memory Foam Pillow: Tuft & Needle

Best Latex Pillow: Purple Harmony Pillow

Best Adjustable Pillow: Sleepnumber Comfortfit

Best Pregnancy Body Pillow: PharMeDoc

Best Organic Pillow: Birch

Best Cooling Pillow: Coop Home Goods

Best Luxury Pillow: Luxe Pillow

Best Travel Pillow: BCOZZY Chin Supporting Travel Pillow

Best Neck Pillow: Twist Memory Foam Pillow

Best Dakimakura Pillow: Dakime Anime Body Pillow

To Duvet or Not Duvet

What’s the difference between a duvet versus a comforter? 

A duvet & duvet insert is simply a softer, more condensed version of a comforter. Comforters are heavier, while duvets are often more affordable. The choice is yours. Do you want something more comfortable to manage and more affordable? Duvet. Or, do you want something cozier yet pricier? Comforter. Whether you get a king size duvet, Ikea duvet covers, duvet inserts, quilt covers, comforter sets, buffy comforters, down comforters or even the ugg comforter, just remember comforters are cozier & duvets are daintier.

Some covers that are just worth it:

For hot sleepers: Snowe

For a comfy, luxurious sleep: Riley Home

Best for your budget: Slumber Cloud Cumulus

Best Hypoallergenic: Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter

Silk for the head, not on the Bed

My number one rule of thumb for silk is this: silk is made for the head and not meant to be on bed. You should not be buying silk bed covers. Well, if it is actually silk fabric, I’ll consider it. Yet, most of the time, when you’re purchasing a silk cover, you’re actually sleeping on a fabric called sateen. From personal experience and what I have read online, sateen is very slippery. Steer clear. However, silk pillow sheets and eye masks are God’s gift to us, luxury comfort seekers. Silk pillow sheets cause less friction, aka, less damage to your hair, and improve your skin and prevent wrinkles. Get this, it’s all scientifically proven!

Emma’s Favorite Silk Pillow Cases: Slip

Overall Best Silk Pillow Cases: Fishers Finery

Best Value Silk Pillow Cases: MYK Silk Pillowcase

Luxury Silk Pillow Cases: Blissy

Silk Eye Masks:  Slip Eye Mask

Diffusing the Situation

Wrapping up on our little bed tour, we leave one ingredient essential to the recipe: an oil diffuser. These are great devices to have near or around your bed for a guaranteed good night’s sleep. They are affordable, convenient, and tend to improve your health and quality of life. Just imagine that while you’re sleeping, you’re breathing in straight-up health. Some oils specifically promote a good night’s rest, such as Lavender, Marjoram, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Neroli, Cedarwood, and Chamomile. 

Here are some diffusers as well as oils to promote good sleep:

Best Overall Diffuser: Vitruvi

Best Value Diffuser: Pure Daily Care

Luxury Diffuser: Doterra Volo

Travel Diffuser: CAMPO

Essential Oil Kit: Doterra Essential Oils Kit